title: An open-label pilot study of the use of rivastigmine to promote functional recovery in patients with unilateral spatial neglect due to first ischemic stroke.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivastigmine as add-on treatment to specific cognitive rehabilitation for unilateral spatial neglect (USN). Twenty patients were randomly assigned either to rehabilitation treatment only (No-RIV) or to rivastigmine (3 mg twice a day, for 8 weeks) add-on treatment (RIV+,). USN and functional status were evaluated by means of specific and validated instruments at baseline, at discharge and at one-month follow up. Compared with the untreated patients, the RIV+ subjects, at discharge, recorded significantly better discharge scores and higher effectiveness on two of the scales. However, subsequent further improvement of the No-RIV patients meant that at follow up there was no significant difference between the two groups. No other statistically significant difference was found. Rivastigmine as add-on treatment to specific cognitive training for USN may improve and accelerate recovery on some specific impairment tests as compared with cognitive training alone.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy. s.paolucci@hsantalucia.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bureca
authors.forename: Mirella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Multari
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nocentini
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine